Call Service (9 posts)

Topic tags: call service
  • There are times, when I just can’t answer my phone, but I need to have a call answered. I don’t want the calls to go to voice mail during “office hours”. What service have you used to switch your phones to someone who can answer your calls for you?  

  • @deereinhardt

    You should check out Google Voice. It’s free, and has loads of cool features, such as voice forwarding, transcribing voicemails and more.

  • I have heard Ruby Receptionists are very good.

  • I just checked Google Voice, they don’t have most carriers for now. Si I will wait. Sounds like a great idea though. Thanks Rich.

  • @deereinhardt I just heard about Ruby Receptionists yesterday, just like @karenataylor mentioned. A couple of friends here in Indianapolis are using them. They’re based in Portland, OR, but for something like $200 per month, they’ll act like they’re sitting in your office, answering your phones. You can even give them your schedule, and they’ll be able to tell the caller about your whereabouts.

    “I’m sorry, Dee is at lunch and then at a meeting until 3. Do you want me to put you through to her voice mail?”

  • There is always the option of hiring a Virtual Assistant to take your calls for you.  There are many out there.  You just call forward your phone to them and they are there during your business hours to act as your Virtual Receptionist.  The benefit of using a Virtual Assistant is that they get to know your business so can often answer basic questions, take messages where you need to address the call and even schedule appointments for you.  Some charge a basic weekly/monthly rate based on the # of estimated calls.  I did research recently on this and found the call answering companies charge anything from $250 a week to $500 (in Canada) based on # of estimated calls and some only take messages, do not provide basic information and some do/don’t schedule appointments for you.

  • Thanks for the answers so far!  Is anyone in the Chicago area and know of something local?

  • @deereinhardt I don’t know any in Chicago (though a few in Virginia); therefore, I did a quick search for you.

    Virtual Assistants Networking Association: http://www.vanetworking.com/Internat’l Virtual Assistants Association: http://www.ivaa.org/American Virtual Assistant Association (LI): http://www.linkedin.com/groups/American-Virtual-Assistant-Association-2548352

    Best wishes!

  • I also recommend looking at Administrative Consultants Association.


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